ir 



whole, the month was favorable for the forwarding of farm 

 work, while the outlook for crops is encouraging. Dr. 

 Jabez Fisher at Fitchburg reports apple bloom on the 12th, 

 — three days later than in 1894, but eleven days earlier than 

 the average for thirty-nine years. 



In the circular to correspondents returnable May 31 the 

 following questions were asked : — 



1. How does the present season compare, agriculturally 

 speaking, with last season ? 



2. What is the promise for pastures and mowings, and 

 did fall seeding winter well ? 



3. How did the fruit bloom compare with the bloom of 

 former years ? 



4. Did the frost of May 14 do much damage in your 

 vicinity ? 



5. What insects appear to be doing the most damage in 

 your neighborhood ? 



6. Is farm help scarce, or plenty ; and what proportion 

 would you call good help? 



7. What wages, with board and without board, are paid 

 farm help in your vicinity ? 



8. What percentage of cattle in your locality do you be- 

 lieve to be affected with tuberculosis? What percentage 

 badly aflfected ? 



Returns have been received from 129 correspondents, and 

 from them the following summary has been made : — 



The Season. 



Correspondents vary so much in their replies to this ques- 

 tion that it is difficult to make a fair summary. The follow- 

 ing will help in forming an estimate : — 



Williamstoivn, Berkshire County. — "Spring came in 

 good. Short mud season and up to May 1 things were very 

 forward. Need of rain soon felt, which did not come till 

 May 27. The cold and drought, together with frosty nights 

 for a week, caused vegetation to cease to grow. Rain has 

 come now and the promise is very good." 



Conway^ FranTclin County. — "It has been an unusual 

 season so fi\r. The first of May was very warm, one day the 



